Samson: A Tyndalston Story Launches on April 8

SAMSON

Liquid Swords has announced its debut action adventure game, titled Samson: A Tyndalston Story, will launch on April 8 for $24.99 on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Liquid Swords is an up-and-coming studio consisting of developers from the Just Cause series and Mad Max. 

“I’ve spent a large part of my career building massive games. With Samson, we knew that bigger doesn’t always equal better and had to be extremely deliberate in what we built,” says Christofer Sundberg, Founder and Creative Director at Liquid Swords. “Samson is the result of our team’s work, tirelessly fine-tuning what our players expect, and more importantly, what makes games fun. It’s not bloated, it’s all about focus, and we keep players at the center of every decision. Fans of gritty 90’s action flicks have something to look forward to when Samson releases on April 8th. Buckle up, because you’re in for a ride.“

The Steam page describes Samson: A Tyndalston Story as follows:

Samson comes home to the worst streets of Tyndalston, a place that built him hard and never forgave him. Muscle, speed, and nerve decide who stays upright. Close-quarters fights, tight corners, and no room for hesitation. He learned violence before he learned mercy, and the city hasn’t forgotten. Every clash matters. Every hit is meant to break or be broken. You cut through alleys, rooftops, and backroom dens designed to keep you moving, not sightseeing. Tyndalston shapes how you fight, climb, corner, and vanish. It’s familiar ground, but never safe ground. 

Cars are not set dressing. They’re blunt instruments. You rip through the outskirts and industrial wastelands in battered machines held together with scrap and stubbornness. Ram, drift, smash, or outthink whoever chases you. Nothing here is clean. Samson’s debt hangs over everything, and his sister is the pressure point his enemies squeeze. Time is short, and the bill keeps growing. This is a focused, brutal chapter in his story, built with intent, no excess, no padding. He didn’t return to entertain. He returned because this is the only place where he can fight his way out.

Dying to be Free

 

Your debt grows by the hour, and the people holding it squeeze harder every day. Every job, every dollar, every choice cuts a path forward or shuts it down. No do-overs. No safety net.

      • Action Point System: Spend your limited points on missions that matter. Once you commit, you live with the outcome.
      • Law Response: Your chaos dictates their pressure. Push too far and the city pushes back harder.
      • Daily Quota: Each morning hits you with a new number. Miss it and the interest spikes, making tomorrow worse.

Fists and Metal

You built this mess. You’re the only one who can carve through it. Up close or behind the wheel, you fight with whatever the city gives you.

      • Unlock Samson’s Potential: Build his strength in both brawling and weaponized driving.
      • Brawler Combat: Use momentum, terrain, and improvised tools to break your enemies fast.
      • Cars as Weapons: Chases turn into collisions, traps, and close-quarters destruction.
      • Skill Tree: 25+ upgrades to shape Samson into the fighter this place demands.

The City That Never Forgives

Tyndalston made you tough. It’s familiar, never forgiving, and always shifting with your actions.

      • Open World Districts: Move through hostile blocks, hidden corners, and the history that built Samson’s past.
      • City With a Pulse: Faces, factions, and streets change as you rise or fall.
      • Story That Hits Back: Uncover what broke Samson’s family and what it takes to fix it before time runs out.

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker DLC Character Kimimaro Releases February 27

Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Striker Kimimaro

Bandai Namco announced that Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker DLC character Kimimaro launches on February 29 as the final Season Pass 9 character. Kimimaro is the 47th DLC character for Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, but more are on the way with Season Pass 10.

The free update for Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker will also include Kimimaro’s Ninjutsu Larch Dance (Attack) and Clematis Dance (Attack), along with his Secret Technique Bracken Dance (Attack). 

The DLC also includes the following avatar parts:

  • Costume: Orochimaru Outfit: BORUTO Ver. (For Male & Female)
  • Hairstyle: Orochimaru (BORUTO)
  • Ninja Tools: Digital Shrapnel
  • Weapon: Kimimaro’s Bone: Dance
  • Honorary Title: The Sound Ninja Five

Moreover, the Scroll Lineup will be updated with the addition of the new SS+ Weapons Passion Gear “Youth at Full Power on February 27 and White Light Blade “Kamui” this spring. More details about the upcoming SS+ Weapon and Season 10 will be revealed at a later date.

Previously, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker DLC character Momoshiki Otsutsuki was released with a free update featuring various Ninjutsu techniques like Saruiwa and Inukai Takeruno Mikoto, along with his Secret Technique, Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto.

Lastly, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. It is also playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility.

High on Life 2 Support Roadmap Released

High on Life 2 Support Roadmap Released

Squanch Games has revealed the High on Life 2 support roadmap, featuring an outline of updates that will release in the coming months. The game is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. It will also release on April 20 for Nintendo Switch 2. 

The roadmap states that updates for progression blockers and crashes are out now. In March, a patch that focuses on performance optimizations, soft locks, visuals, and gameplay improvements will release. Additionally, In April, Squanch Games will add more optimizations and general bug fixes. Further, May is currently labeled as TBD. Check out the announcement post showcasing the roadmap below:

Final Weapon reviewed High on Life 2, giving it a 3/5. We described it as a game that “sharpens numerous aspects of the series to much success, with great moment-to-moment gameplay and plenty of content to discover. Squanch Games nailed the balancing act between a serious plot and humorous adventures, finding a renewed purpose. However, the experience is undercut by inexcusable performance issues on PC that make it hard to fully recommend at this time.”

Lastly, here is an overview of the game, via the official Steam page:

You’ve done it. You’ve taken down an intergalactic cartel, brought humanity back from the brink of extinction, and hunted dangerous bounties to the far corners of the galaxy. Bounty hunting has brought you fortune, fame and love; but when a mysterious figure from your past reappears and puts a price on your sister’s head, your cushy life gets thrown into chaos.

Do you have what it takes to risk it all and bring down an intergalactic conspiracy that once again threatens your favorite species (humans)?

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island Opens July 24 in Japan

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island

A new trailer for the Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island) anime film confirms a July 24 opening date in theaters in Japan. Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island is the first anime film adaptation of Nagano’s Chiikawa manga and anime series, and it will be based on the “Island Arc” from March 2023 to November 2023.

Chiikawa anime movie key visual
©ナガノ / 2026「映画ちいかわ」製作委員会

Nagano is credited with the original story of the Chiikawa film, writing the script, and providing supervision. Kei Oikawa directs the film at Cygames Pictures, QTORY inc. is managing the production, and TOHO is distributing the film.

The movie’s story begins with Chiikawa and Hachiware relaxing before a rabbit with a flyer on its face appears. Hachiware reads the flyer, which reads “invitation to a special island” with promising of great rewards. Chiikawa and friends decide to go to the island, and Rakko goes along on his own accord due to his suspicions with the flyer.

The Chiikawa anime series first premiered in April 2022 on Fuji TV, and the anime returned for more episodes on July 15, 2025. Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime. HIDIVE is streaming the anime series with English subtitles outside Japan.

The cast of Chiikawa includes child actress Haruka Aoki as Chiikawa, child actor Makoto Tanaka as Hachiware, and Ari Ozawa as Usagi.

For more about the Chiikawa series, fans can head to the franchise’s official English website.

Pokémon GO Reveals March 2026 Community Day: Scorbunny

Pokémon GO Reveals March 2026 Community Day: Scorbunny

The Pokémon Company has revealed the March 2026 Community Day: Scorbunny for Pokémon GO. The event will take place on March 14 from 2 PM to 5 PM local time. 

As part of the event, Scorbunny will appear more frequently in the wild. According to The Pokémon Company, you may also be able to encounter a Shiny Scorbunny or ones that grant a Special Background. Additionally, if you evolve Raboot (Scorbunny’s evolution) during the event or up to four hours afterwards, you’ll get a Cinderace that knows the Charged Attack Blast Burn. 

For US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access the Scorbunny Community Day–exclusive Special Research. Complete this research for even more rewards, including the following.

  • 3 encounters with Scorbunny that have a Special Background
  • Additional encounters with Scorbunny
  • 1 Premium Battle Pass
  • 1 Rare Candy XL

Other event bonuses include:

  • 1/4 Egg Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed in an Incubator during the event period.
  • 2× Candy for catching Pokémon.
  • 2× chance for Trainers level 31 and up to receive Candy XL from catching Pokémon.
  • Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) activated during the event will last for three hours.
  • Take a few snapshots during Community Day for a surprise!
  • Lure Modules will last for one hour and may attract the featured Pokémon.
  • One additional Special Trade can be made for a maximum of two for the day.
  • Trades will require 50% less Stardust.

Recently, Niantic and The Pokémon Company announced the Pokémon GO Bug Out Event, which will be held from March 17 at 10:00 AM to March 23 at 8:00 PM local time. Bug Out will mark the Pokémon GO debuts of Blipbug, Dottler, and Orbeetle. Lastly, the game is available now on iOS and Android. 

Kirio Fan Club Anime Premieres April 2, Opening Theme Song Revealed

Kirio Fan Club

Earlier today, the official website for the anime adaptation of Chikyu no Sakana Ponchan’s Kirio Fan Club manga began streaming a new promotional video, revealing the opening theme song and the anime’s April 2 release date. Skirt and ODD Foot Works perform the opening theme song “FANCLUB.”

Check out the trailer below:

©Chikyu no Osakana Ponchan, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha/ Kirio Fan Club Anime Production Committee

The cast members include:

  • Yūya Hirose as Mitsuru Manda
  • Jin Ogasawara as Hayato Momose
  • Ayasa Itō as Satsuki Muraoka
  • Fūka Izumi as Seira Tashiro
  • Nene Hieda as Aimi Miyoshi
  • Shion Wakayama as Nami Sometani
  • Gakuto Kajiwara as Ken Kirio

Sō Toyama directs the Kirio Fan Club anime at SATELIGHT. Aya Satsuki oversees and writes the series scripts, and Nami Hayashi is the character designer.

Additional staff members include:

  • Main Key Animation: Kikuko Sadakata
  • Art Settings: Katsuhisa Takiguchi (Studio Tulip)
  • Art Director: Daisuke Suzuki (Studio Tulip)
  • Color Design: Haruko Nobori (Hiyori)
  • Director of Photography: Tsuyoshi Shimura
  • Editing: Shūji Matsumoto
  • Sound Director: Toshiki Kameyama
  • Sound Production: Studio Sound Bee
  • Music: Tomoki Kikuya
  • Music Production: PONY CANYON

Chikyu no Sakana Ponchan launched the manga on Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha’s Comic Ruelle service in 2022, and the manga ran until August 2024. Kodansha USA Publishing will begin to release the manga in English starting in spring 2026.

Lastly, here’s a synopsis of the story, via Kodansha:

What would you do if your crush had ear-splitting farts? For Aimi and Nami, the answer is to cry tears of joy for being able to pinpoint at a distance the object of their affections, Kirio, from a single toot. These are the kinds of deep, philosophical questions the two friends/rivals in romance pose to each other to prove their love for this boy who hardly seems to know they exist. That won’t stop them from conducting nightly rituals to entice him into their dreams, though, or listing out what exactly they like about him, down to the very last organ. But when push comes to shove, will they choose their hilarious friendship over a shot at love?

Fire Emblem Heroes Adds Tiki: Everlasting Voice

Fire Emblem Heroes Adds Tiki: Everlasting Voice

Nintendo has announced that Tiki: Everlasting Voice is available now as a new Mythic Hero in Fire Emblem Heroes. Additionally, alongside the addition, you’ll also be able to summon previously released 5★ Legendary, Mythic, Emblem, and Chosen Heroes. 

Mela Lee voices Tiki: Everlasting Voice, who initially debuted in Fire Emblem: Awakening. The event will also feature the likes of Corrin, Lyn, Micaiah, Baldr, Sharena, Soren, Stefan, Alfonse, and more. Check out the trailer showcasing Tiki: Everlasting Voice’s inclusion in Fire Emblem Heroes below:

Recently, Nintendo added Harmonized CYL Hector and Harmonized CYL Celica to Fire Emblem Heroes after both won the recent Choose Your Legends: Round 2. Additionally, Fjorm, an original character from Heroes, is featured as a “Chosen Hero.” Patrick Seitz voiced Hector, who is paired with Ephraim, voiced by Greg Chun. Erica Lindbeck voiced Celica, paired with Veronica, who Wendee Lee voiced.

Additionally, Nintendo recently held the 9th anniversary celebration for Fire Emblem Heroes. The 9th anniversary celebration will feature three new summoning events called “12 Luminaries.” The event will feature special heroes who appeared between May 2025 and January 2026. There’s also the Special Hero Summon (Year 9) summoning event, where you are guaranteed to add a 5★ Special Hero to your roster.

You can also get more special heroes in the “9th Anniversary: Guaranteed 4★SHSR Summoning Event.” Further, there are daily revival events, a 9th Anniversary special version of Binding Worlds, new quests, and multiple log-in rewards. These will be available throughout February 2026. A Special Heroes: Floral Event also released on February 4. The event will last until March 5. 

Lastly, Fire Emblem Heroes is available now for Android via Google Play and iOS via App Store worldwide.

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X Remaster Releases on July 16

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X Remaster Announced, Releases on July 16

Bliss Brain and Implicit Conversions have announced a remaster of 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X. The game will release on July 16.

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X brings the 1999 Japan-only PlayStation game to modern platforms for the first time. In Japan, a physical standard and “Special Pack” limited editions will be available for PlayStation 5 and Switch. The standard edition will cost 4,400 yen, while the Special Pack costs 8,580 yen. The latter will include a reissued drama CD and an art book. Check out the trailer below, courtesy of Gematsu:

70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X will release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The Steam page describes it as follows:

A bold fusion of 70s-style super robot anime and arcade-style 2D side-scrolling shooter action, Geppy-X isn’t just a retro game revival — it’s an interactive anime experience reborn in HD. With over 8,000 hand-drawn animation frames, CD-ROM-era ambition, and unapologetic love for classic super robot storytelling, this cult Japanese classic finally reaches a global audience

Geppy-X doesn’t just tell a story — it recreates the structure of a classic anime broadcast. Time signal → Opening theme → Episode → Eyecatch → Commercial break → Ending → Next episode preview. You don’t just watch a super robot show — you play it. The story follows three young pilots who combine their powers to control the transforming super robot Geppy-X, defending Earth from the invading Space Demon Empire. Mid-season mech upgrade? Of course. Because this is a love letter to the golden age of super robot anime.

The original PlayStation release stored its animation at 320×240 resolution and 15 frames per second — already pushing the limits of CD-ROM technology across four discs. For this remaster:

    • The original Betacam master tapes were re-digitized
    • Modern upscaling techniques enhance clarity
    • The animation is restored to its original 24fps

This isn’t a simple upscale. It’s a full revival of a lost anime-era production.

Akane-banashi Anime Premieres April 4, Streams for Free in North America

TV Asahi has released a new trailer for the upcoming anime adaptation of Yūki Suenaga and illustrator Takamasa Moue’s Akane-banashi manga, revealing the anime’s April 4 release date. The trailer confirms that the Akane-banashi anime will stream for free on YouTube in North America and Latin America, and it reveals the opening theme song “Hitotarashi” by multi-instrumentalist Kuwata Keisuke.

©Yuki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue / SHUEISHA, Akane-banashi Committee

The cast and staff of the Akane-banashi anime include:

Cast

  • Anna Nagase as Akane Sakurazaka
  • Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya
  • Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi
  • Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa (Toru Osaki_
  • Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa
  • Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa
  • Yohei Azakami as Kyoji Arakawa
  • Seiichiro Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa.

Staff

  • Original Work: Yuki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue
  • Director: Ayumu Watanabe
  • Assistant Director: Yu Harima
  • Series Composer: Michihiro Tsuchiya
  • Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kii Tanaka
  • Sub Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yasunari Nitta
  • Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Kagawa
  • Costume Design: Noriko Shimazawa
  • Prop Design: Yoshinori Iwanaga
  • Art Design: Shuhei Tada
  • Art: Takumi Sakurada
  • Color Design: Saori Goda
  • Photography Director: Yuta Nakamura
  • Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
  • Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma
  • Music: Akio Izutsu
  • Rakugo Supervision: Kikuhiko Hayashiya
  • Animation Studio: ZEXCS

Suenaga and Moue launched the Akane-banashi manga in February 2022. Viz Media releases the manga in English and describes the story as follows:

Akane unintentionally stirs up a scandal when she’s discovered taking informal lessons from her father’s former teacher, Shiguma Arakawa. And she’s about to make even bigger waves because she is about to begin her first steps in climbing the ranks of a rakugo performer from zenza opening act to shin’uchi headliner is exchanging her secret lessons for formal training. But she’ll still have to finish high school and navigate her relationship with Shiguma’s existing apprentices, all while learning that becoming a stellar rakugoka takes much more than just being good at performing!

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love Anime Premieres April 7

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love

Kadokawa has unveiled the second promotional video for the upcoming anime adaptation of Harunadon’s Even a Replica Can Fall in Love (Replica Datte, Koi o Suru) novel series, revealing additional cast and staff members, opening and ending theme songs, and the April 7 release date. shytaupe performs the opening theme song “Refrain,” and asmi performs the ending theme song “Awa.”

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love main key visual
©榛名丼/KADOKAWA/レプリカだって、恋をする。

The newly announced cast members include:

  • Yuki Takada as Ritsuko Hironaka
  • Kaori Nazuka as Suzumi Mori
  • Jun Fukuyama as Jun Mochizuki
  • Rina Hidaka as Kozue Sato
  • Shugo Nakamura as Haruka Yoshii

Previously announced cast members include Sumire Moroshi as Sunao Aikawa and Ryota Suzuki as Akiya Sanada. Ryuichi Kimura, known for his work on A Galaxy Next Door, is directing the Even a Replica Can Fall in Love anime at Voil. Tomoko Shinozuka is handling the series scripts and is also writing them with Misaki Morie. Eiji Abiko is designing the characters.

Newly announced staff members include:

  • Art Director: Miwa Kawasaki
  • Art Design: Tomoyasu Fujise
  • Color Design: Makiko Doi
  • Prop Design: Eriko Kubokawa
  • Director of Photography: Shinji Tonsho
  • Editing: Emi Onodera
  • Sound Director: Ryuichi Kimura
  • Music: Kanako Hara
  • Music Production: KADOKAWA

Kadokawa’s Dengeki Maoh magazine has been serializing a manga adaptation by Momose Hanada since April 2023.

Lastly, Yen Press publishes the novel series in English, and it describes the story:

When she doesn’t feel well, when there’s a test, when she doesn’t want to go to school… I take her place. I’m her replica. I’m not meant for anything else. But that changed when I fell in love. I wear my hair up so the boy I fell for knows it’s me. We skip school and promise to meet again tomorrow, and every day after. I’m her replica. Everything about me is borrowed and empty, but my heart is mine.